Device for the storage of memory cards

Abstract

A device for storing electronic data storage cards has a rim member defining one storage compartment. The compartment has an insertion side with a configuration such that a storage card is slidable into the compartment. A plurality of holding guides are disposed around and define a portion of the circumference of the compartment. The holding guides have structure that engages against edges of the storage card to align and position the card within the compartment.

Claimed is:  
     
       1. A device for storing electronic data storage cards, including multi-media cards, said device comprising: 
       a rim member defining at least one storage compartment, said compartment having an insertion side with a configuration such that a storage card is slidable therepast into said compartment;  
       a plurality of holding guides disposed around and defining at least a portion of a circumference of said compartment, said holding guides comprising structure that engages against edges of the storage card to align and position the card within said compartment; and  
       wherein at least one of said holding guides further comprises retaining structure that overlaps and engages at least one edge of the card inserted in said compartment to prevent the card from falling out of said compartment and wherein the rim member and the at least one holding guide act against the card to slightly deform the card and hence retain the card in the device.  
     
     
       2. The storage device as in claim  1 , wherein said holding guides define a slip-in configuration for said compartment wherein edges of the card is slid along said holding guides into said compartment. 
     
     
       3. The device as in claim  1 , wherein at least one of said holding guides comprises a transverse bar member extending between opposite sides of said rim member. 
     
     
       4. The device as in claim  3 , wherein said transverse bar member is disposed at a forward side of said compartment, said transverse bar member has a widening portion that overlaps the forward edge of the storage card. 
     
     
       5. The device as in claim  4 , further comprising a longitudinal tie-bar member extending between second opposite sides of said rim member generally perpendicular to said transverse bar member, said longitudinal tie-bar member further comprising a widening portion that overlaps a longitudinal edge of the storage card. 
     
     
       6. The device as in claim  4 , wherein said widening portion has a width so as to extend at least partially over electrical contacts on the forward edge of the storage card. 
     
     
       7. The device as in claim  1 , further comprising a plurality of said compartments wherein at least one said compartment is disposed on opposite sides of a transverse bar member extending between first opposite sides of said rim member and common to forward sides of said compartments. 
     
     
       8. The device as in claim  7 , wherein said transverse bar member comprises a widening portion that extends beyond said forward sides of said compartments so as to overlap forward edges of storage cards inserted into said compartments. 
     
     
       9. The device as in claim  8 , further comprising a longitudinal tie-bar member extending between second opposite sides of said rim member and generally perpendicular to said transverse tie-bar member, said longitudinal tie-bar member having a widening portion that extends beyond a longitudinal side of said compartments so as to overlap a longitudinal side of storage cards inserted into said compartments. 
     
     
       10. The device as in claim  9 , wherein said rim member further comprises a widening portion that extends beyond an opposite longitudinal side of said compartments so as to overlap an opposite longitudinal side of the storage cards inserted into said compartments. 
     
     
       11. The device as in claim  1 , further comprising an insertion security member configured with said compartment so that a storage card is only insertable into said compartment at a proper orientation thereof. 
     
     
       12. The device as in claim  1 , further comprising connection elements on said rim member for interconnecting a plurality of said devices in a stacked configuration. 
     
     
       13. The device as in claim  1 , wherein said device is a unitary formed piece. 
     
     
       14. The device as in claim  1 , further comprising a spring member disposed so as to engage and hold a storage card within said compartment. 
     
     
       15. The device as in claim  14 , wherein said spring member comprises a resilient bottom surface of said compartment. 
     
     
       16. The device as in claim  15 , wherein said resilient bottom surface further comprises an upstanding element configured to press against a bottom surface of a storage card inserted into said compartment. 
     
     
       17. The device as in claim  16 , wherein said upstanding element comprises an edge member extending generally perpendicular from said bottom surface.